The German side beat Lazio in the Champions League qualifiers, and clearly felt the sudden transfer saga was an unwelcome distraction.

Schmidt told television channel Sport1: "Son is a great player who has actually got not really good advice.

"He has decided to do something that was not so nice for us as a team. It was not ideal. But it was even more important that we get into the Champions League, but we had to deal with it."

Bayer had gone into the game 1-0 down from the first leg, which fortunately they were able to over turn by winning 3-0 last night.

His teammate Hakan Calhanoglu expressed his disappointment too, agreeing with Schmidt that Son's transfer was a case of terrible timing.

He told Sport1: "I think it's just a pity that he is ill advised by his dad or agent, just before so a game like against Lazio this did not have to be."

Son had missed training, and Calhanoglu explained he had tried to call the South Korean and texted him, but had not received a response.

He added: "He is a great kid. I look forward to any event, if he comes back and said goodbye to the team, if he goes away, we definitely lose a very good player."

Leverkusen's players are not going to turn against their pal overnight but clearly his actions have left a bad taste.

This would have been even more so had Leverkusen lost, with Son's actions an easy excuse.

Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voeller confirmed ahead of the game that negotiations were ongoing, but a deal would be done on their terms, as the South Korean's buyout clause had expired, reported Kicker.

Dan Coombs

Dan Coombs is a writer who is keen to embrace the internet revolution. He first started writing for us in June 2011 and commenced his new role as Sports Editor in February 2012.
As a trained journalist he has met famous faces from Mr T to Boris Johnson. He once featured in an England World Cup music video too, but it did not make the charts.
He grew up wanting to be a Formula 1 driver, but it looks like this dream has passed him by. Instead, he hopes you enjoy reading his writing on our site, as we seek to debate the day's sporting hot topics.